EAT THIS HEALTHY CHOCOLATE CAKE IN THE MORNING TO LOSE WEIGHT

Eat This Healthy Chocolate Cake In the Morning to Lose Weight

Nov 19, 2013

Eat This Healthy Chocolate Cake In the Morning to Lose Weight

By now all you chocolate lovers out there have probably heard the scoop: No need to feel guilty about indulging your sweet tooth, so long as you go for the dark stuff. Eating chocolate with a cocoa content of 65% or higher can actually be good for you—in moderation, of course. Studies have shown chocolate and its main ingredient, cocoa, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, appear to reduce risk factors for heart disease, and increase HDL or “good” cholesterol. That said, these studies are still preliminary, so could healthy chocolate cake really be a “thing”?

Indeed it can. Heck, according to a recent weight loss study, eating chocolate cake (as part of a full, nutritious breakfast that also includes proteins and carbs) could help you lose weight. The logic? Early in the day is the best time to consume sweets because your metabolism is most active, and you have the rest of the day to burn off those calories. Plus, assuaging your sweet craving in the morning helps prevent you from binge-eating cookies later in the day, when you won’t have a chance to work off your dessert. Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that individuals who consumed a 600-calorie breakfast (including a chocolate cake dessert) showed more success not only at losing weight, but also keeping it off, than their peers who ate only 300-calorie meals in the morning. “Curbing cravings is better than deprivation for weight loss success,” attests Professor Daniela Jakubowicz, one of the lead researchers.

Of course, there are chocolaty recipes that’ll give you your fix in far less than 600 calories. Take, for instance, this grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, no sugar added, paleo-friendly confection that is still somehow rich, indulgent, and delicious. Gather these ingredients, then head over to The Healthy Foodie for all the details on how to whip up this healthy flourless chocolate cake. Still concerned about the fat from the avocados, eggs, coconut milk and oil? To this we say: not all fats are created equally. Stop worrying and dig in.For the cake:1½ cup extra dark cocoa powder3 ripe avocados1 cup date paste¾ cup coconut milk (the canned variety)6 large eggs¾ cup (6) egg whites½ cup water2 tsp pure vanilla½ tsp salt

Garnish ideas:Canned coconut milk (Make it thicker by leaving an opened can in the refrigerator overnight.)Small fruits, such as gooseberries, raspberries or strawberriesCacao NibsCoconut shavingsMint leaves